As expected with the first game of the NBA Finals the energy was definitely there in Boston's Bank North arena. The crowd was loud, as it had been all playoffs, and the players looked focused. This was the moment everybody who plays the game hopes for. Players who have been here before always want to get back, and those who are first timers are cherishing it. Of course there always has to be the underdog, and Boston filled that role with Doc Rivers telling his players that most people outside of Boston didn't have much faith in them. As with most Phil Jackson coached teams, the Lakers seemed poised, and calm following the demeanor of their leader. At this point of the season there are no underdogs, both teams had aspirations to get to the Finals. After all the talking and speculation, all there was left to do was tip it up.
1st Quarter
Just like the energy in the building from the fans, it translated to the players on the floor. The early pace was not fast and furious, it was more quick and efficient. Pau Gasol opened up the scoring with a 12 foot jump shot from the wing. It was clear early what the Lakers wanted to do defensively, they jumped out in a match-up zone in the first few possessions. It was evident that they were trying to make Rajon Rondo a scorer. Hesitant on his first shot, he missed an open jumper. After that first shot he became aggressive by driving and looking for his own shot and open teammates. But Boston started out with 3 turnovers in the first 3 minutes of the game. But despite the early blunders, the Celtics were aggressive on the backboards to start the game and just hung around early. All 4 of the Lakers' starters had scored but Kobe Bryant midway through the quarter. Kobe finally hit his first bucket at 5:18 left in the 1st. Boston's defensive strategy was clear in what they were going to do with Kobe Bryant, and that was to keep someone long and athletic on him. Paul Pierce was guarding Kobe, and then James Posey took on the task. Although Kobe does not usually shoot a lot in the first half, he did look bothered on a few of his early shots. The score at the end of the 1st quarter was Los Angeles Lakers 21, Boston Celtics 23.
2nd Quarter
The 2nd quarter started off with the Celtics' Sam Cassell coming off the bench to make a big splash. Cassell made 3 of his first 3 shots. He was taking Derek Fisher to the post and executing flawless turnaround jumpers. The second unit of the Celtics pushed the lead out on the Lakers, which is surprising seeing how well the Lakers' bench has played all season. The only thing that kept the lead manageable was the energy and rebounding of Ronny Turiaf, and Boston's shooting cooled down. Up until the midpoint of this quarter, Kevin Garnett had been struggling with his jump shot, but a monster drive and dunk got him going. He went on to drop in jumper after jumper in the second quarter. Another bright spot was Rajon Rondo's ability to stay relevant and aggressive. The Lakers got it going at near the end of the quarter and Pau Gasol got it going with the pick and roll, Boston was unable to defend the roll man. Lamar Odom was also playing big for the Lakers, and continued to make plays going to the rim. The score at halftime was Los Angeles Lakers 51, Boston Celtics 46.
3rd Quarter
The 3rd quarter was an adventurous one for Paul Pierce. He had shot 1 for 3 in the first half, but came out with a head fake and drive to the basket for a lay-up. The next possession down court Pierce executed a perfect head fake to get Vladimir Radmanovich in the air, and then jumped into him to create the foul. He ended up banking the 3-point shot off of the backboard, and then hit the free throw to complete the 4-point play. Pierce then hit a free throw line jumper, and drew foul number 4 on Radmanovich. At around the 7:00 minute mark Paul Pierce was injured while guarding Kobe Bryant after teammate Kendrick Perkins landed on his leg. He was carried off of the floor, and put in a wheelchair. Back in the locker room he was able to put pressure on the knee, it turned out to be a sprained knee. During this time Kendrick Perkins also sprained an ankle and went to the locker room. At the 5:04 mark Paul Pierce returned with a large roar from the crowd. During that 2 minutes he was out, it was like the crowd had been punched in the gut. During this time Kobe Bryant began picking up the scoring and had 10 points in the 3rd, but he was no match for Paul Pierce, who returned to the floor to hit 2 3-pointers on assists from Rajon Rondo. Pierce ended up with 15 points for the quarter and the quarter ended up with Los Angeles Lakers 73, Boston Celtics 77.
4th Quarter
The 4th quarter began with the only starters on the floor for either team being Kobe Bryant, Ray Allen, and Kevin Garnett. It was a struggle for the Lakers as the Celtics pulled away and led by 10 points. Phil Jackson seemed to change his substitution pattern. He usually rests Kobe Bryant at the beginning in the 4th quarter, and brings him in with about 8:00 to go. Tonight he started the 4th on the floor, played a few minutes, and then returned to the floor around 5:30 left in the game. Even once he returned Kobe was not shooting the ball well, he ended up with 24 points on 9-26 shooting. Although the Lakers cut the lead to 2, it was a monster tip dunk by Kevin Garnett that sealed the game for the Celtics. After adding some free throws, the Celtics went on to take game 1 98-88.
In conclusion, it was only one game in the grand scheme of things. It has been said that the series does not start until someone wins a game on the road, so Boston is doing what they are supposed to be doing. For game 2, the keys for the Lakers are if Kobe Bryant can shoot a better percentage, and if their bench can step up and keep them in the game when Kobe Bryant is out of the game. For the Boston Celtics, Rajon Rondo needs to keep shooting the ball from outside, and the health of Paul Pierce's knee are what is going to make or break them. Game 2 will be Sunday, June 8 at 8 C.S.T on ABC. Breakdown of Game 2 will be posted Monday morning.
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